This extraordinary riding adventure takes you into the breathtaking mountain world of Peru and right into the heart of the Colcavalley, the second deepest canyon in the world. The region is strongly characterized by the remains of the Colluagua culture, the former inhabitants of this area. Rock paintings, old grain stores and terraces carved into the mountains characterize the landscape. The kings of the Andes, the condors, circle on the mountain slopes. Fantastic panoramas await you!
Accommodation is in 3-star hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs.

Itinerary

Tour itinerary:
Arequipa - Chivay - Yanque - Coporaque - Madrigal - Pinchollo - Cabanaconde - Geyser - Arequipa

Day 1: Arrival at Arequipa airport (2,335 m above sea level) and transfer to the 3-star hotel. Depending on arrival time, welcome lunch or dinner in a local restaurant. In the afternoon there is a city tour of the old town.

Day 2: Breakfast at the hotel and then transfer to Colca (approx. 5 hours). On the way there you will pass the "Salinas y Aguada Blanca" reserve and are sure to see a few Andean camels (llamas, vicuñas and alpacas) as well as the Belvedere volcano. You are approaching slow the Colca-valley, where you are at approx. 3,300m above sea level. In the village of Chivay, you stop for a break and have lunch. You then continue to your 3-star hotel in village Yanque. In the afternoon, you will set off on your first ride, which will take you to the chapel of the Virgin of Chapi (the patron saint of town Arequipa) and through the village Achoma (4.5-hour ride). You will get a first impression of the magnificent landscapes and impressive mountains of the Colca region. Return to the hotel and some time to relax before having dinner together at the hotel.

Day 3: A 6-hour horseback ride awaits you today. After breakfast, you set off on horseback to village Coporaque and the archaeological site of Uyo Uyo. From stable to ride you first pass the "Plaza de Armas" of Yanque and its colonial church, which was built by the Spanish in the 17th century. The trail follows an old stone bridge over the river Colca. Here you can also see the traditional way of storing grain: holes carved into rocks so high above the ground that they can only be reached with rope ladders. Via a stone staircase, you finally reach the ruins of Uyo Uyo, once the capital of the ancient Collagua culture, who lived here alongside the Incas. A picnic lunch awaits you here. After a relaxing break to ride you continue in the direction of Coporaque, passing the "amphitheater", the impressive terraces that were carved into the mountains before the Incas. Once in Coporaque, you will also see the typical South American plaza (village square) with a church and a fountain. Before you return to to ride, you will pass the Collagua cemetery, which is estimated to date back to the 13th century. In the afternoon, a visit to the natural hot springs of Chivay is on the program. Overnight stay and dinner as on the previous day.

Day 4: As always, the day begins with breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, another 6-hour ride along the Colca River is on the program. Once again, you have a great view of the "terraces" that were created to grow grain. You will ride through the villages of Ichupampa and Lari, where you will have lunch with a local family. Afterwards to ride you continue to Madrigal and to the foot of the Chimpa mountain. Return to Lari by car (approx. 40 min.). Overnight stay in private accommodation (basic comfort, shared bathroom).

Day 5: After breakfast, transfer to Madrigal for today's ride (6 hours in total). First you climb the Chimpa mountain, from the summit of which you have a beautiful view of the Colca Canyon. You continue to village Pinchollo. This time you to ride on the other bank of the Colca River. To do this, you first cross river . The route then continues uphill. You stop for lunch at a beautiful viewpoint. You reach Pinchollo at around 3 p.m., where you leave the horses behind and take the vehicle to two of the most beautiful and famous viewpoints in the valley (Cruz del Condor and Cruz del Cura). Both platforms are located on the cliff of the canyon, which is the second deepest in the world. With a bit of luck, you can see the condors circling there, which are among the largest birds in the world, and enjoy the sunset. You will then drive to your hotel, spectacularly situated right on the precipice of the canyon, where you will have dinner and spend the night in a 3-star hotel.

Day 6: Breakfast and short transfer to Pinchollo, where the horses are waiting. We set off for the Pinchollo geyser (6-hour ride). The breathtaking landscape is characterized by volcanoes with snow-capped peaks, waterfalls and high mountains. The Hatun Infiernillo geyser is active 24 hours a day and its fountains are very impressive. On the way back via a different route, you will stop for a picnic before arriving back in Pinchollo and being taken to your hotel in Arequipa (approx. 3-hour drive). Farewell dinner in Arequipa.

Day 7: Breakfast and transfer to the airport.

At the 10-day variant explore the world-famous sights of Peru after Riding tour : Machu Picchu and the Valle Sagrado.

Day 7: Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Arequipa airport for the domestic flight to Cusco. Arrival in Cusco in the morning. Transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, take a guided city tour through the capital of the Inca Empire and visit the impressive ruins of Sacayhuaman, which are located near the town . Overnight stay in Cusco.

Day 8: After breakfast, you will travel by private vehicle through the Valle Sagrado, the sacred valley of the Incas. You will explore the Inca village of Chinchero and the Moray terraces, which were once used for agriculture, as well as the Maras salt mines, which are still in use today. Finally, you will reach the Inca town of Ollantaytambo, where you will visit the fortress built at mountain . You then travel by train to Aguas Calientes, the starting point for Machu Picchu. Overnight stay in a guesthouse in Aguas Calientes.
An optional guide can be booked for the visit to the Inca sites (please enquire about the price).

Day 9: After a very early breakfast, you set off by bus towards Machu Picchu. This impressive archaeological site, which was only rediscovered a good 100 years ago, is one of the most spectacular sights on the American continent, if not the world. The extraordinary location amidst the spectacular mountain peaks and the architecture of town , built around 1450, leave an unforgettable impression on most visitors. You have the day to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entrance ticket usually also includes access to Machu Picchu mountain or Huayna mountain, which you can climb and enjoy a great view of Machu Picchu from there. You will then be transferred back to Aguas Calientes and continue by train to Cusco. Overnight stay in a hotel in Cusco.
A guide must now be booked for the visit to Machu Picchu (please enquire about prices).

Day 10: After breakfast, transfer to Cusco airport and individual departure.

Accomodation
The accommodation on this tour varies greatly. Sometimes you will stay in hotels with double rooms and private bathrooms, but you will also spend one night in sleeping bags in a simple B&B with a shared bathroom (sleeping bags are provided). This allows you to get to know the full spectrum of Peruvian accommodation.

Saddle & Tack: South American/Peruvian

Experience: At least intermediate riding skills. Saddle fit in all gaits and proper trail experience, also in difficult terrain.

Horses: Peruvian Pasos

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